A Color That Will Save Japanese Women's Skin

Kazuko HayasakaTo get a bit technical, pink-toned foundations can look heavy on Japanese skin. We also tend to choose shades one tone lighter than our natural skin color, but the key is actually to use a color with a hint of yellow that matches your skin.

"UV Skin Perfection" in 01 Light Beige is suitable for Caucasian to average Japanese skin tones, while 02 Medium Beige is perfect for average to tanned medium skin tones. CHICO responded to my request for a shade that matches the skin tone, enhances it, and blends seamlessly.

CHICO SHIGETAYou're particularly fond of 02 Medium Beige, aren't you, Hayasaka-san?

Hayasaka02 Medium Beige is a color that will save Japanese women's skin. Darker shades can sometimes look muddy or deepen the skin tone, but this medium shade makes the skin look beautiful and adds a sense of transparency.

CHICOIndeed, our French staff at the Paris laboratory "Laboratoire SHIGETA" prefer 01, while the Vietnamese-French women working at the factory favor 02. They were delighted, saying, 'The darker shade looks brightening and makes my skin look beautiful.'

Interpreting the Line Between Shine and Glow

──It took three years for the concept and two years for the formula, I hear.

CHICOIt was a long journey (laughs). The technical challenge was interpreting the "line between shine and glow." Organic products with sun protection often have a greasy finish that can look like a mask, due to the UV filters in the ingredients. Achieving a "glow check" that didn't look overdone was incredibly difficult.

HayasakaAlso, Japan has harsh climate conditions with dry winters and humid summers. We wanted to create a product that would perform beautifully and feel comfortable in all seasons, unaffected by the climate.

CHICOAnd Hayasaka-san requested something that wouldn't come off with sweat and would spread easily, which are actually opposing properties (laughs). On a molecular level, UV filters tend to make the texture stiff and less spreadable, while a hydrophilic formula that spreads easily can be easily washed off by sweat.

HayasakaIt was important that it wouldn't come off with sweat, too.

A Miracle in the Lab Beaker

──How did you overcome those challenges?

CHICOA miracle happened. One day, while experimenting in the Paris lab, I accidentally mixed the ingredients in the wrong order... To my surprise, the mixture in the beaker became smooth when applied to the skin and proved resistant to sweat. From then on, we focused on how to stabilize that material for production.

HayasakaAnd the scent was also tricky, wasn't it?

CHICOThese UV products have been well-received for their "SHIGETA-like scent that lifts the mood from the morning." Actually, I initially thought the scent might be too strong. Since we wanted to create an organic product, we sought a pleasant fragrance that could cut through the mineral scent and provide UV protection. Hayasaka-san also had specific ideas about the product's color...

HayasakaMy eyes surpassed the machinery, didn't they? (laughs)

CHICOThis time, SHIGETA introduced a colorimeter for the first time. We tried to decipher Hayasaka-san's feedback – 'a little dull,' 'a little shiny,' 'a little reddish' – using a "color translator." However, Hayasaka-san's eyes could perceive differences imperceptible to the human eye, which constantly surprised us at the lab. Fine-tuning the formula by scientifically analyzing Hayasaka-san's intuition was extremely challenging.

Kazuko Hayasaka and CHICO SHIGETA Explain the "SHIGETA" UV Series (3)to be continued

UV Skin Perfection
With SPF 32 PA+++, it cuts UV rays using only mineral UV filters that are gentle on skin and the environment. Mineral pearl particles enhance skin's radiance while effectively covering pores. It controls skin tone, adheres perfectly, evens out surface texture, and contains the blend oil RED+ for moisturizing, antioxidant, and protective benefits. To use: apply the bright Light Beige from the center of the face outwards with fingertips, then apply Medium Beige along the jawline to create contouring for a more sculpted and beautiful finish. Finally, press palms to the neck and gently blend the product there as well.

Price | ¥3,348 each [25mL]
Colors | 01 Light Beige, 02 Medium Beige

UV Skin Protection
With SPF 25 PA+++, it cuts UV rays using only mineral UV filters that are gentle on skin and the environment. This clear (colorless) type can be used on both face and body, and its mineral pearl particles impart a beautiful radiance to the skin. Applying it to the décolletage can enhance facial radiance through light reflection. It can also be used as a luminizer by applying it as a touch-up around the eyes. It adheres perfectly to the skin, evens out surface texture, and can be used as a makeup base. It contains the blend oil RED+ for moisturizing, antioxidant, and protective benefits.

Kazuko HAYASAKA
A makeup artist. After three years as a nurse, she studied makeup at sashu.w.3260.studio for one year. In 1998, she apprenticed under makeup artist Ms. YUKI and became independent the following year. Last November, she published the book "YOU ARE SO BEAUTIFUL - Meet Your Best Self in 7 Days -" (Kaelum).

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